The Emeraldcaster Project (aka Son of Meloncaster)

[Chaparral]

Buckster,

Since you're the Henry Ford of partscasters...let me ask you this. What do you think the difference is, if any, in the sound one of your sparkle guitars with the thick fiinish as opposed to one you might build with a "normal" finish? Thanks.

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by Chaparral

Buckster,

Since you're the Henry Ford of partscasters...let me ask you this. What do you think the difference is, if any, in the sound one of your sparkle guitars with the thick fiinish as opposed to one you might build with a "normal" finish? Thanks.

'enry Ford?

'enry would make them in any color you wanted...as long as it is black.

But you want to know if I think there is a difference in sound between the guitars I have put together with "thin" nitro finishes and the ones that I have applied with a spatula?

Nope.

Once I get them painted, I forget what wood they are made from.

The onliest difference I can tell in the necks is shape, radius, and fret type and I can't tell a difference in sound caused by any of them...it's all tactile. (But then I spend a night each week standing next to the drum riser!)

Pickups, cap & pot values are where it's at with these babies.

'enry Ford?

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Pickups, cap & pot values are where it's at with these babies.

Care to share your recipe?

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by Taipan

Care to share your recipe?

no secret

Keystone pickups
250k volume & tone pots
.047uF caps
and that other little resistor and cap for the low volume things

of course Nocaster pickups are awfully good too

no telling how you would like this setup, but it certainly does everything I want it to do

one of these days I am going to put a humbucker in the neck position...but you know, somehow, those never LOOK quite right to me.

[Buckocaster51]

Nice day today.

Shot another coat (went over everything twice) of preheated DEFT.



Now she's hanging in the sunlight.

Nothing like sunlight to dry stuff.

The plan, and you all know how long plans can last, is to shoot another coat tonight, and a couple more tomorrow. Then I will let it dry for several weeks and see what it looks like.

Don't worry though. I won't be bored. This afternoon I am going to route a double-neck and single neck for binding.

Gonna try to do something a little like this here...

[emailhot]

Hey there Buck. she looks fantastic. just a few Questions. are the rubyflakes that you have the same size as the emerald flakes? and are you going to shoot a test strip (like the one you shot at the end of themeloncaster) through your fancy new spray gun to see if it will work and give us all another taste to wet our appetites even more?(not that we need them wet anymore than they already are, but it doesn't hurt to ask. does it??

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by emailhot

Hey there Buck. she looks fantastic. just a few Questions. are the rubyflakes that you have the same size as the emerald flakes? and are you going to shoot a test strip (like the one you shot at the end of themeloncaster) through your fancy new spray gun to see if it will work and give us all another taste to wet our appetites even more?(not that we need them wet anymore than they already are, but it doesn't hurt to ask. does it??

Thanks much.

Flakes are the same size. 0.015 hex as the emerald.

10-4 on the test strip.



Painted the flipside of the purple test chunk with red KRYLON and these are the flakes we're gonna use.

Oh my!



The flake lays down nicely!

The people who know what they're talking about, knew what they were talking about when they told me to do it this way!



But like every sparkle finish...it is darn difficult to photograph.

Of course, it also looks like I might need a $29.95 sprayer for each color of flake I ever do! That stuff gets EVERYWHERE and it is VERY difficult to clean up.

Oh well, I guess that is just the cost of doing this stuff.

By the way, I left the small (1.4mm) tip in and it seemed to work pretty well.

Also got an idea this afternoon for the ULTIMATE Buckocaster. If I can pull it off, it will flat out have everybody drooling!

[Buckocaster51]

While I was out in the garage today I grabbed some bodies from the rafters and cut the channels for the binding.



It went pretty well. But I'll tell you, if I do much more of this, I am going to have to get a better set of cutters. Wrapping sticky aluminum tape around guide bearings to adjust the depths of cut works...to a limit...but it sure chews up time!

The outer bodies are destined to become Rubycasters. Checkerboard on the front, plain back.

The body in the middle is going to be a silver (or champagne - maybe) sparklecaster with checkerboards on both the front and the back. I have done one of them yet. It sort of scares me, there are some AWFULLY sharp corners on the back. The front is nearly impossible, the back is going to be a challenge.

If you look real close, you can see that the ash body (the lighter one) is double cut for binding on both the front and the back.



Should be fun!

[ehawley]

BUCKO!!! Your a WILD MAN!!!
THE KING OF FLAKE!

[andy__woods]

you gonna make some red slippers to go with the ruby tele?

[need2retire]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Also got an idea this afternoon for the ULTIMATE Buckocaster. If I can pull it off, it will flat out have everybody drooling!

Can't wait ... what is it? Let us in.

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

While I was out in the garage today I grabbed some bodies from the rafters.

I wish I could say that "While I was out in the garage today I grabbed some bodies from the rafters". I wonder how many of wish they could say that, "Hey while I was out in the garage I grabbed some bodies from the rafters" Or Kinda like "Hey grab me a beer when you are in there "it could be "Hey Bucko while your in there grab me one of them there bodies....."

[emailhot]

Holy cow Buck!! when I said wet our appetites I didn't think I would drool this much. three bodies? man you're killin me. (the kind of death I don't mind though)

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by Taipan

I wish I could say that "While I was out in the garage today I grabbed some bodies from the rafters". I wonder how many of wish they could say that, "Hey while I was out in the garage I grabbed some bodies from the rafters" Or Kinda like "Hey grab me a beer when you are in there "it could be "Hey Bucko while your in there grab me one of them there bodies....."

Yeah, I know what it sounds like...but I spent a couple of 90/90* during the summer making them. Only have one more single neck out there now. I may have to round up some more wood and try to make a few more before the weather closes in.

It's not like the rafters are FULL of them...

*90°F & 90%RH = a nice upper midwest day!

[Buckocaster51]

Hmmmmmm...less than 2 months 'till Chrismas...



gets me to thinking!

[emailhot]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Hmmmmmm...less than 2 months 'till Chrismas...



gets me to thinking!

hmmmm... the santacaster?the Christmastreecaster? the sleighbellcaster? anyother clues as to whats running in your mind?

[urizen]

OOOoooohhh man, suddenly IT hit me!!! Stop me if you've heard it b4, but....COPPERSPARKLE----is there such a thing? Since someone else awready brought up Sandy Claws, LIE to me if you have to, because I WANT to believe!!

COPPERCASTER?

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by urizen

OOOoooohhh man, suddenly IT hit me!!! Stop me if you've heard it b4, but....COPPERSPARKLE----is there such a thing? Since someone else awready brought up Sandy Claws, LIE to me if you have to, because I WANT to believe!!

COPPERCASTER?

I think I might actually have some copper flake around here...and if I don't I know where it can be found!

How's that for tempting?

I agree, it would look great.

[Buckocaster51]

One thing that I notice between the green and the red, is that the flakes in the green are much more specular. At least a few of them, because of the way they were applied, are lying at really crazy angles. That accounts for the random glints in the pictures.

The red flakes, because they were sprayed on, are all laying flat. Much less specular. Much less glintzy.

Need to figure out a way to get some more depth to that red finish.

Ideas anybody?

[getbent]

do them the way you did the green ones, no?

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Call me goofy, but I am going to see what this does with those big flakes.



Worse case scenario is that I have to get the acetone out and take it all off.

"That's Goofy!"

Maybe that wasn't so Goofy after all !! Sift um !!

[getbent]

And great marketing too! "Hand Sifted Sparkle Goodness Using a Custom Applicator by the Specially Trained Buckocaster Elve(s)

You can even order custom sprinkle patterns and there is the Abigail Ibarra replica scatter sprinkle pattern.... Dikkers, there is no limit to the marketing BS Mojo that could be created around the hand sifter... KISS rule # 42 KISASIFMo (Keep it simple and sell it for more!)

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by getbent

do them the way you did the green ones, no?

You know, sometimes, I can't see the forest for the nose on my face!

There's a name for that type of thinking that I fell into...you have a tool (a new one too) and you just have to use it!

Thanks for straightening me out guys.

[andy__woods]

copper sparkles.....mmmmmm. like the ones in the middle of this picture of yours?

[urizen]

Originally Posted by andy__woods

copper sparkles.....mmmmmm. like the ones in the middle of this picture of yours?

YYYyeyeeeesssssssss, yeeesssssssss, my Preciousssssssssssss *








*we need a "drooling" smilie for these threads.

[TelecasterBlooz]

Packercaster...Packercaster...PACKERCASTER!!!!!

[reddogbass]

More dramatic sparkle? Lighten up the base coat (white, gold, or silver) and use a larger flake. The larger flakes will lay down just as well, if not better. But, you will need a larger fluid tip.

As much as I wouldn't use any Harbor Freight gun for anything but primer (and possibly sparkle), they do have a gun with a 2.0 tip, and I think the price is $14.95. It's a syphon feed, but easily converted to gravity feed.

Dang if I'd "sift" them on when you can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

If you are intent on "sifting" you might try some retarder in the lacquer, and spray it through the gun. This will reduce flash time slightly and give the flakes a chance to settle.

Careful with the colors, or you're gonna have to name one of them "LiberaceCaster!"

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by reddogbass

More dramatic sparkle? Lighten up the base coat (white, gold, or silver) and use a larger flake. The larger flakes will lay down just as well, if not better. But, you will need a larger fluid tip.

You mean the base coat needn't be the same color as the flake?

Well, I'll be!

Silver would really make these things pop!

Time to do another test I reckon.

As always, thanks for the tips.

Cheers

Steve Dikkers
aka Buckocaster51

[Arlo]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

You mean the base coat needn't be the same color as the flake?

Well, I'll be!

Silver would really make these things pop!

Time to do another test I reckon.

As always, thanks for the tips.

Cheers

Steve Dikkers
aka Buckocaster51

Buck, I used a black base on a silver sparkle and it was very dramatic to say the least. It high lit the sparkle in a way that I never expected. Depth and texture was completely different than a silver base and silver sparkle.

[Hockey Rocker]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

One thing that I notice between the green and the red, is that the flakes in the green are much more specular. At least a few of them, because of the way they were applied, are lying at really crazy angles. That accounts for the random glints in the pictures.

The red flakes, because they were sprayed on, are all laying flat. Much less specular. Much less glintzy.

Need to figure out a way to get some more depth to that red finish.

Ideas anybody?

If you mix about 1-2% Silver Holographic "Alpha Jewels" with 98-99% of the colored Polyester Jewels, you will get more depth via the special effect of prismatic reflection. It may be a little OTT though. Check that, we are talking about glitter. Nothing's over the top, I guess.

[Hockey Rocker]

Originally Posted by Arlo

Buck, I used a black base on a silver sparkle and it was very dramatic to say the least. It high lit the sparkle in a way that I never expected. Depth and texture was completely different than a silver base and silver sparkle.

That's a good point. Bass boat manufacturer's build boats from the outside-in by spraying about 10-12 mils of clear polyester gel coat into a mold. Then they spray a few mils of glittered gel coat, back it with black gel coat and then blow on the fiberglass. Nasty process, but it works. Then they let it dry for awhile and pop it out, "viola!", a glittered boat hull emerges from the mold.

I was afraid to back with black on my '51 Silver Sparklecaster because, like the pre-compressor Bucko, I used the sift-on method of glittering. It left some gaps, so you may be able to detect the Krylon Silver Metallic paint between the sparkles.



I think by using a large flake (.015" Hex) with the sprayer you should be able to back with black, white or a different color from the sparkle. Obviously so, as it worked for Arlo. I'm still chicken though. Spraying a test panel is a good idea for anyone attempting this.

[Jay Isler]

Hey Buckster,

these posts you do showing us how you finish your guitars are my absolute favorite thing on this site. You have even inpired me to do my own project.(much to my wife's horror!!)

I know it takes alot of work to not only do the work on the guitar but to also post the pictures and reply to all of us and I don't want to sound unappreciative or add even more work to these projects.........but, I have a request.

How about on the next guitar instead of photos you do some VIDEO!!!!!

In any event, I love your work.

JI

[milkshape]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Also got an idea this afternoon for the ULTIMATE Buckocaster. If I can pull it off, it will flat out have everybody drooling!

RWB sparkle is my guess, I see a new avatar in your future ;) Can't wait to see the tri color sparkle caster happen.

So it looks like you got by with a sifter and a rattle can, excellent to know it can be done the hard way, genius.

[boris bubbanov]

*we need a "drooling" smilie for these threads.[/quote]

Yeah, you rite!

Buckocaster, been thinking about your reference to taking in all off with the acetone. Did you find that when you do clean back down to the wood with acetone, that the finish in the pores of the ash is also lost, and that you have to build plenty more finish in the pores to get things flat again? Or because of its secure location, is that finished spared to some extent?

Much obliged,


Bubbanov

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by milkshape

RWB sparkle is my guess, I see a new avatar in your future ;)

you've been reading my mail...sort of...

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

...been thinking about your reference to taking in all off with the acetone. Did you find that when you do clean back down to the wood with acetone, that the finish in the pores of the ash is also lost, and that you have to build plenty more finish in the pores to get things flat again? Or because of its secure location, is that finished spared to some extent?

Ash? What's ash? I do this stuff pretty much only with alder...

So, I don't really remember if I have wiped the finish off an ash body...but as I recall, when I have had to do it, and I think it has only been a couple of times, that the grain-filling pretty much survived!

Just a font of information, aren't I?

I really wish that I could be more specific.

Went through the first round of having a store-bought tooth installed tonight...I'm still drooling out of the corner of my mouth.

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by Jay Isler

How about on the next guitar instead of photos you do some VIDEO!!!!!

Thank you...but who do you think I am?

Norm Abram?

[Big Mike Simpson]

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Thank you...but who do you think I am?

Norm Abram?

Ya... you could have your own show on PBS... "This old sparkly Telecaster" ... Starring Buckocaster Abrams

[ehawley]

"I see a plethora of green sparky holly leaves floating in a red ruby sea"...The Bucko-Holly-Caster! Just in time for the holidays!
Looks great! I love the effect! I have to make me a J Jorgenson gold one now...You gave me the sparkle bug! Thanks Buck!
Cheers
ED

[Jay Isler]

Originally Posted by Big Mike Simpson

Ya... you could have your own show on PBS... "This old sparkly Telecaster" ... Starring Buckocaster Abrams

Now thats an idea!!

I might even get me one of those fancy Tivo boxes so I wouldn't miss it.